Our Blacksmith Experience Days take place in the museum's rebuilt Victorian forge, and are led by our experienced blacksmiths. You will learn the skills and basic techniques of the blacksmith and make your own simple hand forged object to take home. You will be shown how the forge works and will use an anvil, in what will be an extremely enjoyable yet physical experience. No previous experience is necessary. Participants must be aged 18 or over. 

Camera Skills Workshop

Take control of your camera at Chiltern Open Air Museum with professional photographer Cat Humphries.

Over the course of this 4 hour workshop you will discover how to get out of auto mode and capture better images with your camera. With friendly tuition, easy to learn techniques and guided practice photographing the beautiful Chiltern Open Air Museum site, you'll feel more confident with your camera and capture great images to take home. 

Cat Humphries is a professional theatre & event photographer. She has been a PAGB camera club judge since 2016, critiquing photographs for photographic societies across the country. Leading workshops and talks on photography skills for over ten years, her passion is to encourage people to enjoy the image making process and get creative with their photography.

Ideal for those wanting to experiment more with their advanced compact, bridge, mirrorless or DSLR camera. We’ll start by learning the different camera settings we can use, what angle or lens works best for different types of images and how we can create better photographs using simple techniques. Then we’ll put the theory into practice around the museum site, as we explore the photographic possibilities of the heritage buildings and traditional gardens.

The Camera Skills Workshop is limited to 6 people to allow participants to ask questions and get one-to-one advice from Cat throughout the session.

The course runs from 11am until 3pm

The cost of the Course is £100 per person

You’ll need:

An advanced compact, bridge, mirrorless or DSLR camera

A drink and packed lunch (there will also be the opportunity to buy a drink or snack at Skippings Barn during a short lunch break)

Sensible walking shoes and clothing

*Walking Grade (1-2 easy/moderate)

Easy Photo Editing Workshop

Learn to edit your photos at Chiltern Open Air Museum with professional photographer Cat Humphries.

During this 4 hour workshop you’ll learn simple techniques for editing your photographs in Photoshop, Lightroom Classic and Affinity Photo. The same techniques can also be used in mobile editing apps such as Snapseed. Professional photographer Cat Humphries will guide you through different ways you can improve your images.

Cat Humphries is a professional theatre & event photographer. She has been a PAGB camera club judge since 2016, critiquing photographs for photographic societies across the country. Leading workshops and talks on photography skills for over ten years, her passion is to encourage people to enjoy the image making process and get creative with their photography.

The course runs from 11am until 3pm

The cost of the Course is £100 per person

The Photo Editing Workshop is limited to 6 people to allow participants to ask questions and get one-to-one advice from Cat throughout the session.

You’ll need:

A drink and packed lunch (there will also be the opportunity to buy a drink or snack at Skippings Barn during a short lunch break)

Flower & Garden Photography Workshop

Explore the gardens at COAM and capture beautiful photos with professional photographer Cat Humphries.

During this two-hour practical workshop you’ll learn simple techniques to create impactful images of gardens and flowers. Get up close to the plants in the Museum gardens on this guided photography experience.

Cat Humphries is a professional theatre & event photographer. She has been a PAGB camera club judge since 2016, critiquing photographs for photographic societies across the country. Leading workshops and talks on photography skills for over ten years, her passion is to encourage people to enjoy the image making process and get creative with their photography.

The cost of the 2 hour workshop is £60 per person

The Flower & Garden Photography Workshop is limited to 8 people to allow participants to ask questions and get one-to-one advice from Cat throughout the session.

You’ll need:

A camera (compact, DSLR, mirrorless or just on your smartphone)

Sensible walking shoes and clothing

*Walking Grade (1-2 easy/moderate)

Go back to the Stone Age and learn how to make flint tools

Come and learn how our ancestors made tools and weapons in flint. We will safely instruct you how to begin this fascinating and most ancient of crafts. We will begin by looking at the theory and lots of replica tools. Jonny will then demonstrate some of the key principals before each participant will try several techniques for themselves. A quantity of flint will be provided and each participant will take away all they make during the workshop. Full instruction and all necessary PPE will be provided. At the end of the day there will be an opportunity to purchase kits and an instructional book if you wish to continue by yourself.

Workshop Details

Timings: 10.30am until 3pm
Maximum number of participants: 14 people
Location: Northolt Barn at Chiltern Open Air Museum
Age range: Ages 14+
Cost: £85 per person

In this experience day you will learn the ancient craft of willow weaving and sculpting and will craft your own creation. The session is led by experienced tutor and willow weaver Gina Martin. The course is very hands-on and is a great opportunity to learn a new skill.

Using dried willow, Gina will demonstrate the basic techniques you will need to create your own sculpture. This is a ‘hands on’ course and you will go home with your own willow dragonfly and a small obelisk. For those more adventurous souls and if time permits the obelisk can grow into your own design, be it an animal, fruit or abstract piece.

You will be supplied with information about the different types of willow, where to obtain your materials and how to store it should you wish to develop your weaving skills further at home.

Gina Martin studied at the Royal College of Art gaining an MA in Sculpture and she has been leading workshops for all ages and abilities for over 25 years.

Included in the experience day

• Tuition from our experienced course leader
• All materials

There will be an hour break for lunch, please bring your own food and drink or you can purchase them from our on-site catering.

Please Note: We kindly ask that you provide a pair of secateurs and a small screwdriver. This is to ensure that you do not share tools with other participants. 

Length of workshop: 10.30am – 4pm
Minimum age: 12 years +
Number of participants: 10

Go back to the Bronze Age and make your own axe head

Come and learn how our ancestors made tools and weapons in bronze. We will safely instruct you how to create your own axe head in solid bronze. You will have the choice of three styles, including the axe-head used by 'Otzi'. After watching a demonstration by cast-master Jonathan Cope, we will help you create your own sand mould ready for casting. Our furnace will then be fired to heat - 1,000 degrees! to melt the bronze. Whilst waiting you will learn more about the Bronze Age and handle some replicas. Jonathan will then pour the liquid bronze into the prepared moulds. Each participant will then break their bronze axes out of the moulds and quench to cool in water - lots of steam! After admiring your creation (photo -op) you can start work cleaning and polishing with provided tools and PPE - final finish is down to how much effort you put in. Your axe can be decorated, by you, with metal stamps if you wish. Welcome to the Bronze Age!

Workshop Details

Timings: 10.30am until 3pm
Maximum number of participants: 14 people
Location: Northolt Barn at Chiltern Open Air Museum
Age range: Ages 10-14 with an accompanying adult and solo participants aged 14+
Cost: £85 per person